The Vallamkali or Boat Race is one of the most popular and ancient sports in the state of Kerala in India. The people of Kerala enjoy this wonderful game during the colourful and joyous festival of "Onam". The Boat Races held during the festival attracts millions of people from all over India and also from other countries.

The Vallamkali or Snake Boat Race in Kerala is mainly held in connection with the harvest festival, Onam, during the month of August or September. The Snake boats that take part in the Vallamkali are called as Chundan Vallams and more than 30 such wonderfully crafted snake boats compete with each other during the event. The distance of the race is 40 km and it is mainly conducted from the hills to the low-lying plains.

The people of Kerala also enjoy some of the other forms of cultural functions before the starting of the Vallamkali and some colourful parades, including 25 singers and 100- 125 oarsmen are organized before the race. Though the Vallamkali or Boat Race is played in all the parts of Kerala, the places like Aranmula on the Pamba River in the Kuttanad region, Papiyad near Quilon, and Thayathangadi near Kottayam, are the quite popular for organizing the most attractive races.

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